In Memoriam – Ann Bonnell, PLAN Jeffco Board Member
It is with heavy hearts that we come to you with the news of the passing of one of our own, Ann Bonnell.
Ann was a cherished PLAN Jeffco Board Member, joining in 1997. She had been an active participant until recently, when her health took a serious downturn. She passed on Tuesday, December 26, 2023.
As we bid farewell to one of our long-time Board members, we ask that, if you wish to remember Ann Bonnell, bird and conservation advocate extraordinaire, in lieu of flowers please donate in her name to Denver Audubon, Bird Conservancy of the Rockies, EarthJustice, or the Nature Conservancy.
Ann moved to the South Jeffco area in 1975, where she was a volunteer in many projects to preserve open spaces and wildlife habitat in the Chatfield Basin area. Ann spent her life teaching and volunteering, starting with high school biology in Albuquerque, NM, volunteering with special needs populations, and coaching Special Olympics swimming and cross-country skiing, giving her a specialty in accessibility issues for our Open Space Parks. She was involved with the Save the Mountain Backdrop Project here in our own Front Range. Ann was a Volunteer Naturalist for Roxborough State Park, South Platte Park, Denver Botanic Gardens and the Audubon Society of Greater Denver. Ann was an inveterate birder; she used to guide the Tuesday Birders and led teams for the annual National Audubon Christmas Bird Counts. She represented Audubon as a Technical Specialist for 10 years in the development of the proposed Chatfield Lake Reallocation Project. She served on the Restoration Advisory Board for the Air Force PJKS Superfund site, located at their former Waterton facility. Ann was 2nd Vice President of The Audubon Society of Greater Denver and served on their Conservation, Trip, & Nature Center Committees.
Ann prior to her Grand Canyon float trip circa 1960s
During her tenure on the PLAN Jeffco Board, in addition to the multiple articles on birds and birdlife that she contributed for our print newsletter and website, Ann added so much background information relating to birds when we were discussing certain lands that we needed to protect.
We will miss Ann. As a committed and genuine conservationist, she kept us on the right track as we plowed our way through issue after issue. We will look to the skies, at her beloved birds as they wing their way to wherever they’re headed, and ask “What would Ann have us do?”
Articles written/co-authored by Ann Bonnell:
Birds of Jefferson County: Accipiters
https://planjeffco.org/birds-of-jefferson-county-accipiters/
Snowbirds
https://planjeffco.org/snowbirds/
The Great Backyard Bird Count between Friday, February 14 & Monday, February 17. Have You Watched Any Birds Lately?
https://planjeffco.org/the-great-backyard-bird-count-between-friday-february-14-monday-february-17-have-you-watched-any-birds-lately/
Birds of Chatfield
https://planjeffco.org/birds-of-chatfield/
The Great Backyard Bird Count (GBBC) Results Are In – from the February 2014 Count!
https://planjeffco.org/the-great-backyard-bird-count-gbbc-results-are-in-from-the-february-2014-count/
The Bird Family with an Attitude: The Corvids
https://planjeffco.org/the-bird-family-with-an-attitude-the-corvids/
One of our heroes for many years. While we didn’t see her often, whenever we did, she always remembers us and has a smile. Defintely one of the good ones and our hearts go out to the family.
Losing Ann Bonnell is a huge lose to the environmental community. She was always there when needed and had the right approach for any problem.
Ann sparked my interest in birds when she led a North Jeffco Wilderness Women’s group a few different times. Her knowledge astounded me time and again. And as time went by, I started sharing as much as I remembered with my granddaughter. It was such a wonderful time . Ann certainly will be missed, and I believe she’ll be “ birding” like crazy wherever she roams.
It seemed I would always intersect with Ann where ever I might be birding. Rounding a bend and there was Ann always cheerful and engaging.
Ann Bonnell was a special person! She lived an exceptional life devoted to what she loved: birds, nature, preserving natural resources and so much more. Ann’s sharing of birding knowledge, bird song and habitats brought so much joy to those who faithfully followed her for so many years as members of the Tuesday Birders or park visitors!
Ann would acknowledge me with a cheerful greeting and spontaneous smile, always making me feel special when we met,
whether on a foothills trail, in a Metro park or at a birders’ meeting. Ann Bonnell leaves behind many admiring friends!